Very Large Expansion Joint Designs

Offered for New Transamerican FCC

The new FCC at TransAmerican Refining Corporation in Norco, Louisiana incorporates the latest Fluid Catalytic Cracking technology. The 100,000 barrel per day FCC uses a very fast cracking process that occurs in millisecond time intervals. The millisecond cracking is accomplished in part by increasing the amount of catalyst that is in contact With the hydrocarbon. The high catalyst mass flow requires very large line sizes and strict attention to abrasion resistance on all refractory lined surfaces.

Senior Flexonics Pathway provided refractory lined, cold wall expansion joints for the Hot Shipper and several flue gas lines, some of which were close to record size for Senior Flexonics Pathway. The pressure balanced Hot Shipper expansion joint weighed in at a net weight of 92,000 pounds. All the expansion joints were ply testable construction. Insulation was furnished over the bellows elements to keep the bellows hot in service and thereby reduce the possibility of condensing sulfuric acid on the inside of the bellows. All designs incorporated Senior Flexonics Pathway standard cold wall refractory design to provide the best resistance to abrasion in service.

For more information about Senior Flexonics Pathway’s FCC capabilities, contact Senior Flexonics Pathway.